Los Angeles daily herald., 1887-02-10

and until the disbanding of the army 10
1916. While he was stationed at Fort
Adams he fought . duel with Lieuten-
ant Marsha |, an interesting account of
which is given in Pioneer Biographies,
by Mcbride.
"Symmss and Marshall disagreed
about the latter's pay. Symmes thought
it incumbent upon himself to resent
Marshall's remarks, and finally chal.
lenged him. In the encounter Marshall
received bail in his thigh, from the ef
fects of which he suffered through life,
and Symmes wound in the left wrist,
the uss of which he never fully recov-
cred. In the family papers is letter
to Symmes from his brother Daniel, ON
hearing of this duel. Part of it is worth
giving:
"I regretted your affair of honor
with Lieutenant Marshall, but was graf
itied thai you acquitted yourself as o
gentleman and an officer. and that your
conduct on that occasion was spoken OF
in high terms OF appreciation by oil the
gentlemen of our acquaintance as well
as your brother officers.
1t is much to be regretted that the
evil custom of dueling has become so
prevalent and fashionable in the Ameri-
can army that man, when once insuSt-
ed by a person (no matter of what char.
acter or how tired of lifel, challenge
must pass, and the weapons of death be
exercised. 70 prevent this savage and
calsmitous practice, Frederick the
Great, OF Prussia. who had lost some OF
his best and bravest officers in this way,
issued an edict that if any challenge
passed in his army, the parties should
fight until one was dead, and immsdi.
ately afterward the survivor should be
shot as a public offender; which edict
was carried into execution to the aston.
ishment of the whole army-it had the
desired effect.
mo man for moment even doubted
the courage of the great and justly cele.
brated Julius Cesar, and mark his con.
duct when challenged to single combat
by Mark Anthony, who was his equal,
and stood high on The lists of fame. He
coolly replied, that, Ii Anthony is tired
OF life, let him leap into the sea or jump
down the Tarpeian Rock
"PeytJn sent Captain Symmes some
lines as bis opinion on dueling: We do
not know that he was the author, but
he evidently admired the sentiment, and,
as they are after the order of his poems,
it Is well enough to give them as an ex.
ample of his style.
ga Mr.. Fleet sends a challenge to a
MIR. Mann to fight duel. The latter
has an invitation for the same date to
dine with friend Lingdon. and returns
to MIR. Fleet the following reply:
TO MR.. FLEET.
am honored this day. sir. with challenges
The first from Friend Lang ION. the second
from you.
As the one is to fight and the other to dine. |
accept his engagement and yours must de- |
Now. in giving this preference trust you1l
have acted with prudence, and done what
was fit;
Since encountering him and my weapon,
knife,
There is some little chance Of preseruing my
life;
While bullet from you. sir, might take it
And the maxim. you know, is to live while
you may.
i, however. you still should suppose III
treat you,
By sternly rejecting this challenge to meet
you,
Bear with me a moment and / viii edduce
Three powerful reasons by way of excuse.
"a the first place. unless I am grossly de-
myself am. in conscience, the party ag
grieved;
Aud therefore, good sir, If achallenge must
Pray wait till that chillenge be rendered
by me.
gain, sir, think 1t by far the more sinful |
70 stand and be shot than to sit for a skinful
you will conclude las I'd have you |
indced)
That fighting composes not part Of my
creed
And my urage (Which, though it was
nsver disputed,
[s not, imagine, too, too deeply rooted
Would prefer that ats fruit, sir, whate'er 1t
may yield.
Should appear at the table" and not in the
field"
And las ly, my life, be 1t never forgot.
Possesses value which yours, sir, does not; |
So mean to preserve it as long as can.
Being justly entitled family Mann;
Besides. that the contest would be too un- |
equal,
doubt not will plainly appear by the sequel |
For even you must acknowledge itwouid
not be meet
That one small "Manu OF war should en-
gage whole Fleet"